More than $20M in state funds going to City of Springfield. Here's how it will be used
With Gov. JB Pritzker's signature, development at the North Mansion Block is one step closer to reality.
After hinting at its possibility earlier in May, Pritzker signed the $53.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 on last week which included $4 million to design and construct a park at the grass lot north of the Governor's Mansion. The 2.25-acre lot served as the home of the YWCA and has set empty since 2017.
More: Pritzker signs $53.1B budget, touts investments in education, economic development
Mayor Misty Buscher recently told The State Journal-Register the inclusion in this year's budget came through conversations involving herself, the governor, Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory, First Lady MK Pritzker and Deputy Gov. Andy Manar. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources maintains the grounds and is receiving the funding for the development.
"I had explained to the engineers there (at IDNR) that it was important to me that is resemble our state and have a natural habitat, grass or trees... that would be natural to our state," she said at an unrelated event at Springfield High School.
Buscher added that she wants the new development to include an amphitheater and to allow for the continuation of the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series. Requests for comment from IDNR regarding when the project could start and be completed went unreturned prior to publication.
Other projects
The North Mansion Block is far from the sole local project receiving funding in this year's budget.
Among them is $13.8 million to the University of Illinois at Springfield for the UIS Innovation Center, its downtown campus. State lawmakers permitted the university to build its campus by passing the budget implementation measure last week, Pritzker also signing that bill Wednesday.
Here's a few other projects and groups receiving funding:
$3 million to the UIS Innocence Project
$1.3 million to the Springfield Park District for capital improvements
Remainder of a $500,000 grant to the city of Springfield to build a new bike path
Remainder of a $4 million grant to the city for a grade crossing project on Cockrell Lane, in addition a new $385,000 grant for improvements to existing vertical and horizontal roadway clearances to its bridge
Remainder of a $83,000 grant to Springfield District 186 to build ADA-compliant restrooms and bleachers for the track at Springfield High School, plus another $400,000 (or what remains from the appropriation made in fiscal year 2024) for capital improvements
Steven Spearie of The State Journal-Register contributed to this report.
Contact Patrick M. Keck: 312-549-9340, [email protected], twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: More than $20M in state funds heading to City of Springfield